Brown-Waite's decision to quit suddenly draws barbs

May 3, 2010|By Emily Fuggetta, ORLANDO SENTINEL

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, who has represented much of Lake County since she was first elected in 2002, called Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent late one night in March and asked him if he had considered running for Congress. He hadn't.

Brown-Waite, a Brooksville Republican, planned to retire due to health concerns, and she wanted him to run in her place, Nugent told the Orlando Sentinel.

By April 24, after long days of consideration and prayer, Nugent said he decided he'd run for her District 5 seat, which also covers parts of Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Polk and Sumter counties. But it wasn't until Friday that Brown-Waite, who had an easy time in previous re-election races, announced her surprise plan to retire and leave her seat up for grabs — minutes after the qualifying deadline. She immediately issued a statement expressing her support for Nugent.

The political maneuver brought a stinging rebuke from Nancy Argenziano of Dunnellon, chairwoman of the Florida Public Service Commission and a former state senator who was considering making a bid. She called Brown-Waite's timing "a slap in the face."

"If I had known even at 10 this morning, [Friday] I think I would have thrown my hat in," Argenziano said, citing years of support from District 5 constituents. She said she had been urged by some in the district to run against Brown-Waite, while others suggested she go after the seat when Brown-Waite retired.

Argenziano said she and other Republicans like state Sen. Mike Fasano, R- New Port Richey, were advised not to run against incumbents unless it's entirely necessary out of respect and ethics.

Argenziano said Brown-Waite's actions – which she called a "scheme" – are a sign of the GOP changing for the worse.

"It was insidiously designed," she said. "I think people can see through that."

Calls and e-mails to Brown-Waite's office seeking comment were not returned by the deadline for this story.

Nugent, who has served as Hernando sheriff since January 2001, said his background in law enforcement — rather than politics — give him a unique perspective. Though he would not have run against Brown-Waite, he said if elected he'll serve the district with the same commitment he has shown the community.

"I had to get it straight in my head as to that level of commitment," Nugent said. "This is not something I came looking for. But she came to me with a call to duty, and we decided we're going to do this, and it's for all the right reasons."

Nugent's opponent for the Republican nomination, tea-party activist Jason Sager of Brooksville, said the fact that Brown-Waite didn't announce her plan until after qualifying will likely work in his favor.

"I think it just increased [my] chances tenfold," Sager said, adding that voters won't take kindly to being told who Brown-Waite's replacement will be. "Last I checked, the people choose. We'll see what happens in August [the primary]."

"She's always been a very open and forthright person," Rudderow said. "There's nothing deceptive about her."

He said the congresswoman's timing likely will not have an effect on other candidates.

"She will be thoroughly missed," Rudderow said.

The GOP nominee will face Democrat Jim Piccillo of Land 'O Lakes, who was the only Democrat to qualify. The district covers a wide swath of Lake County mostly south of U.S. Highway 441, including south Lake.